Early Assessment - First Post

Overview

Hockey finally started back up and this season is shaping up to be an interesting one. Some of the dominate teams from last year have not been so dominant and some of the bad teams from last year have not been so bad. Some players are still trying to find their groove as well.

Since there will not be any cross-conference action until the Stanley Cup Final this season, most posts will be broken down into an East-West setting. This may continue in future seasons. We will be be starting simple and only be commenting on three teams per conference per post. Each team will have a different quality than the other.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference has looked much differently than last season so far. Now it's still early, but I get the feeling some of these things will stay the same. The BOSTON BRUINS are my leader in the East right now. they have shown a level of consistency that no other team seems to have at this point. This could obviously change, but I believe this will give them an advantage going forward. What will benefit this team the most is their tenacity. They have been able to not just hold a lead, but come from behind and win. In the three games that they have trailed after two periods, they have won two, more than any other team in the league

One of the surprise teams is the TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS. Last season, they were a sub-.500 team with only 35 wins, leaving them 12 points out of the playoffs. So far this season, they have shown some promise. Their ability to win on the road (5-1) this season is one of the bright spots for the team. Their issue is putting that kind of performance on the ice in the Air Canada Centre. At home, they have put together a measly 1-4 record. Law of averages will catch up to them though. It will be interesting to see what way it will go.

The disappointing team so far has been the NEW YORK RANGERS. This is a team that bolstered their offense in the off-season with the acquisition of LW Rick Nash. This is a team with arguably the best goaltender in the league. This is a team that was the #1 seed in the east and came just a win short of winning the Presidents' Trophy. This was the team to beat this season, yet they are sitting at 5-5 (10 pts) a fifth of the way into the season. In a season where points are at more of a premium than usual, they are going to do some battling to become a contender. This is something that they should be able to do.

Western Conference

The hottest team in the Western Conference has been the CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS. The 8-0-2 (18 pts) team has been able to put together a run that has been unbelievable. Sure, teams go on winning streaks, but not like these Blackhawks. What makes this run so special is they have played only twice at their home arena. The United Center is hosting Disney On Ice until the 10th, so they'll see some home games shortly. It will be interesting to see if they can keep this up at home. As mentioned above with the Maple Leafs, just because a team has swagger on the road, it does not necessarily mean they can bring it at home. Some stats to take note of as well: the Blackhawks are 17th in Power Play (18.4%), 16th in Shots Allowed Per Game (28.5) and 14th in Shots Per Game (28.6). If they start to have issues finding the back of the net, they could be in for some trouble. They will have to rely heavily on their defense, especially with the compressed schedule.

My surprise team in the West has to be the EDMONTON OILERS. The Oilers look poised to make the playoffs this season, and I believe they will. This is a team that will have to step it up statistically as the season goes on though. It is hard for a team to continue winning with only 2.3 goals a game (22nd). Their goaltending has been the key for this team. G Devan Dubnyk  has seen more shots than anyone in the league (323), yet he is 22nd in Save % (92.3%). This is a team that is riding a hot goalie, but that can go a long way in a season so short and compressed. Look for this team to finish between 8th and 10th.

The LOS ANGELES KINGS are easily the most disappointing team in the West. After getting destroyed in their home opener (and Stanley Cup Celebration Game) to the Blackhawks 5-2, they have not been able to get their feet under them. G Jonathan Quick, regarded as one of the top goaltenders in the league, has put up a save percentage that is good enough for 46th (86.9%). The Kings have faced the 2nd fewest shots per game in the league, yet they are 22nd in Goals Allowed Per Game (3.00). Time will tell whether or not the defending Stanley Cup Champion will be able to get it together and make it back to the playoffs. I am betting on no. Remember, this team finished 8th in the West last season with 40 wins and 95 Points.